The Choir He Wanted, The LIfe He Had

Friday, September 30, 1933

"When can we leave?"

Roger looked at Jack quizzically.

"What do you mean?"

"When do we get to go home?" Jack asked. Roger shrugged his shoulders.

"I don't know. Ask Mrs. Jones. She'll tell you."

Jack looked towards the front of the classroom, where his teacher was reading them a story. He turned back to Roger and said,

"She looks busy."

Roger rolled his eyes and looked away. Jack was confused but didn't say anything. After a while, Roger looked back at him and asked,

"Why do you want to know?"

"Just wondering," Jack replied. That was a lie. He wasn't just wondering. He wanted to go home because the feeling was back, and it was strong. Now that he was thinking about the feeling, it quickly got worse. He squirmed and brought his legs underneath him so he was kneeling on the ground. He sat back and put his hands between his legs. His mummy and daddy had told him he shouldn't sit this way because it looked silly, but he couldn't help it. He needed to use the bathroom, and he was sure that if he sat any different, he would end up peeing in his pants. He tried to focus on the story Mrs. Jones was reading but every time he tried his mind focused back on that feeling that grew worse each time he brought it to mind.

"What are you doing?"

Jack looked over at Roger, who was looking at him with an odd expression. Jack looked down at himself, then slowly moved his hands from between his legs, placing them on his knees. He looked at Roger, whose expression hadn't changed, and said,

"What?"

"Do you have to--"

"No!" Jack said this quickly. He didn't want to hear the rest of the sentence. He didn't have to.

"Really?" Roger said. "'Cause you sure look like--"

"I don't!"

Roger chuckled.

"You're a terrible liar," he said. Jack faked a smile, then looked away. He tried again to focus on the story, and this time he succeeded. It wasn't until a few seconds later that he realized why.

"What's that smell?" Roger asked. He looked at Jack, and the worried, guilty expression on his friend's face gave him the answer.

"Did you just...pee your pants?" Roger asked. He expected his friend to retaliate, but instead, Jack just nodded slowly.

"Mrs. Jones!" Roger yelled, raising his hand. Jack grabbed his arm, shushing him, but it was too late.

"What is it, Roger?" Mrs. Jones asked.

"Jack had an accident," Roger said.

Laughter filled the room. Jack put his head down, doing his best to avoid eye contact. He wanted to hide somewhere and never come out.

"Jack," Mrs. Jones said. Jack looked up, tears forming in his eyes.

"Come see me when I've finished reading," Mrs. Jones said. Jack nodded and looked down. He didn't pay attention to the rest of the story, and it felt like forever before it was over.

When she was finished with the story, Mrs. Jones put down the book and the students began talking. Amongst the voices, Jack heard his name and looked up to see Mrs. Jones beckoning him to come to her. Jack stood up slowly and walked over to her, and when he got to her she said,